Workers from BT and Openreach, including 999 handlers, stage 24 hour strike over pay

Workers from BT and Openreach, including 999 handlers, will stage a fresh strike on Monday across the UK in their long-standing dispute over pay and conditions.

Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) will stage the walk-out for 24 hours following a wave of stoppages in recent weeks.

The union said members are determined to continue the industrial action with CWO general secretary Dave Ward stating: “We’re never going to walk away from this.”

They say BT has “imposed” a pay rise of £1,500 which they say is worth between 5% and less than 3% below inflation.

This summer, on July 29 and August 1, BT Group staged the first national industrial action in three-and-a-half decades.

Two further strikes were then held in August which was followed up with the announced of three more strike days, including Monday.

CWU deputy general secretary, Andy Kerr, said: “When the 999 callers are out on strike, you know something is going very wrong in this country.

“Time and time again, we have asked for negotiations to resolve what is a dangerous dispute, only to be ignored.

“But BT Group workers are sick of this corporate arrogance, and they are determined and united.

“They will fight hard to get the proper pay rise and the dignity that they deserve.”

A BT Group spokesperson said: “We will do whatever it takes to protect 999 services, redeploying our people to the most important priority is a normal part of BT Group operations.

“We made the best pay award we could in April and we have held discussions with the CWU to find a way forward from here.

“In the meantime, we will continue to work to minimise any disruption and keep our customers and the country connected.”